Video surveillance from the Irish Rose Saloon
shows an unprovoked attack is what led to manslaughter charges against a Waikiki man who has a
history of violence.
Cesarin Perez, 34, made his initial court appearance in Honolulu District Court on Monday after prosecutors charged him Friday in the death of Pil Sung Kim, 29.
Kim died at The Queen’s Medical Center on March 1, more than a week after
being attacked while standing on the sidewalk near the entrance of the Irish Rose Saloon at 478 Ena Road in Waikiki.
In the attack on Feb. 20 shortly before 6:50 a.m., a man later identified as Perez allegedly walked up to Kim and hit him in the face using both hands. According to court documents, Kim fell backward from the blow, and his head struck the pavement.
Police and Emergency Medical Services responded to the incident, and video surveillance
obtained by police shows Perez speaking to one of the responding officers. Court documents indicate that there was “no mention” in initial police reports of Kim being assaulted.
EMS spokeswoman Shayne Enright said Kim was conscious and breathing when paramedics treated and transported him to Queen’s in serious condition. His condition worsened and he died March 1.
On Wednesday police reviewed surveillance footage from the Irish Rose Saloon that showed a male suspect later identified as Perez allegedly attacking Kim.
On Thursday, according to court documents, Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Masahiko Kobayashi
determined Kim died of “cranial cerebral injuries due to blunt force head trauma.” The manner of
his death was classified
as a homicide.
Police arrested Perez
in Waikiki on Thursday on suspicion of second-degree murder.
Court records show
Perez has a history of
violence.
In January he served seven days in jail after pleading no contest under
a plea agreement to third-degree assault and harassment after causing bodily injury to a male victim and harassing another man in a December 2016 case.
In July prosecutors charged Perez with abuse of a family or household member involving his 37-year-old girlfriend.
Court records said that on July 29 Perez and the victim were involved in an argument in Waikiki that
became heated when Perez allegedly bit her nose. After she slapped him, the victim reported Perez slapped her more than 15 times and kicked her twice in the
back of the head. Police responded and arrested Perez — who appeared to be intoxicated — on suspicion of abuse. The victim, who had been dating Perez for about a year at the time of the attack, had a bloody nose and bruises on her left arm. Paramedics treated her at the scene, but she refused further medical attention.
The woman told police that Perez had previously physically abused her on three separate occasions but that she didn’t report it out of fear he would abuse her more. Court records noted she sought treatment at a hospital, where her
injuries were documented. The victim also told police Perez threatened twice
to kill her.
The case was dismissed with prejudice in November after the victim failed for a third time to appear in court for Perez’s trial.